Literature detection device for cartoning machine



Ja. 3, 1956 H. F. CQFFEY 2,729,810

LITERATURE DETECTION DEVICE FOR CARTONING MACHINE Filed 001'.. 26, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

HENRY F. COFFEY ZQ UAM/z?.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent LITERATURE DETECTION DEVICE FOR CARTONING MACHINE Henry F. Coffey, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application October 26, 1953, Serial No. 388,162

Claims. (Cl. 340-259) This invention relates to cartoning machines and more particularly to a device for use thereon to detect the presence or absence of literature such as is inserted to gether with a product into a carton.

As is well known, it is customary in carton packaging various items to enfold around the product a circular or other piece of literature usually giving directions for the use of such product. High speed cartoning machines generally are provided with mechanisms for automatically folding the literature insert into a relatively narrow strip commensurate in Width with the size of the carton that is to contain the product, enfolding the folded strip over one end of the article and inserting the literature-enfolded article within the confines of the carton preparatory to sealing the end aps of the latter. Occasionally the literature inserting mechanism, for one reason or another, fails to function properly or the literature supply becomes exhausted and in consequence the literature is failed to be inserted in one or more of the cartons as they are advanced along the machine conveyor. When the cartoned article is a drug product or of like nature, for obvious reasons, it is imperative that the literature insert be included in each and every finished package before distribution.

Heretofore, in packaging such items the precaution has been taken of having each carton shaken manually to ascertain by ear and feel that no finished package is shipped without theliterature being inserted therein. Such manual, piece by piece, inspection procedure is not suited to mass production operations, is time-consuming, costly, and subject to error.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for use in conjunction with an automatic cartoning machine that is operable automatically to sense each package as it advances along the cartoning machine conveyor and positively detect and apprise the machine operator of the absence of the literature insert all in simple and expeditious manner and without interruption or delay to the normal functions of the cartoning machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be r apparent as the description proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of my improved literature detection device as applied to a cartoning machine,

Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view diagrammatically illustrating the operation thereof,

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the sensing feeler driving means, and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation thereof.

This invention is herein shown in conjunction with an automatic cartoning machine of the character described in U. S. Patent No. 1,935,269, granted November 14, 1933, to R. A. Jones. It will be understood, of course, that the invention is equally adaptable for use on any cartoning machine and that the selection ICC of a machine of the character disclosed in the aforementioned patent is for illustrative purposes only.

The machine as illustrated in the accompanying drawings operates upon a carton consisting of a rectangular and tubular body portion 10 having end closure aps 11. The cartons are supplied to the machine by a magazine (not shown) in which they are stacked one upon the other in collapsed or flat form and from which they are successively withdrawn or ejected. The lowermost carton of the stack is ejected from the magazine, received by an endless conveyor belt 12, opened, and as it travels along the conveyor 12 receives the merchandise to be packed therein, all as fully disclosed in the aforementioned Jones patent, 1,935,269.

As before stated, it is customary in machines of this character to employ a literature folding mechanism (not shown) which removes from a suitable supply stack a single piece of printed literature, indicated at 13, folds the same to a width corresponding substantially to the width of carton 10, then enfolds the folded strip over one end of the article of merchandise such as 14, following which the article 14 together with strip 13 is thrust laterally within the contines of its respective carton preparatory to tucking down and gluing aps 11, all as described in said Jones patent.

Not infrequently one or more cartons of a group of merchandise being packaged will fail to receive the literature insert 13 because of failure in the literature folding or feed mechanism, exhaustion of supply source or other mechanical failure.

The product illustrated as being cartoned in Fig. l is contained in an ampoule or vial type of receptacle although it will be understood that it could as well be a paste-containing tube, syringe or similar article. It will be observed from reference to Fig. l that the closure end of such article presents a relatively lesser surface area than the surface area as presented by that portion of insert 13 which overlies said closure end when the literature piece is enfolded thereover. The present invention takes advantage of this relatively substantial difference in extent of surface areas in conjunction with a sensing device now to be described.

The literature detection device comprises a funnelshaped feeler 15 having a laterally extending cylindrical shank 16 slidably mounted in spaced upstanding lugs 17 formed on a horizontally disposed plate 13. A coil spring 19 encircling shank 16 between lugs 17 has one of its ends resting against the outermost lug 17 and its opposite end resting against a collar Ztl secured by a set screw 21 to shank 16. In this manner feeler 15 is mounted for a yielding, sliding movement on plate 18. interposed between the lower surface of plate 18 and the upper surface of the frame 22 of the machine are a pair of spaced gears 23 and 24, suitably journalled for rotation in the frame upon shafts 25 and 26, respectively. An idler pinion 27 intermeshing with gears 23 and 24 couples them for joint rotation in the same direction, namely in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3. Shaft 25 of gear 23 is connected by suitable gearing (not shown) with the main drive of the cartoning machine to drive the gears in rotation. Upstanding crank pins 28 and 29 journalled in suitable bearing openings 39 and 31 in gears 23 and 24, respectively, connect plate 1S for movement by the gears. As shaft 25 is driven in rotation gears 23 and 24 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction and, through the crank motion of pins 28 and 29, simultaneously impart compound transverse and longitudinal reciprocatory movement to plate 18 and feeler 15. This reciprocatory movement is timed synchronously with the forward advance of the conveyor so that as each of the open-ended cartons is advanced by the conveyor, feeler 15 enters first within the contines of flaps 11 then Within the contines c, of the body portion of the carton into sensing contact with either the literature insert i3 or with the unenfoldcd end of the product receptacle i4, spring 19 in either event being sufficiently resilient to permit Va positive but yielding feeling action between the inner conical surface of feeler T15 and that surface (literature insert or receptacle end) which it happens to contact. Following this sensing operation the feeler is withdrawn from that carton and then enters the next carton and so on. An end guide plate 48, similar to stop rail 1M of the aforementioned iones patent, serves as an abutment to prevent longitudinal displacement of the cartons during the sensing of cartons.

As feeler l5 moves into sensing contact with a literature insert 13, the conical, converging inner surface of the funnel-shaped feeler substantially centers thc insert and its enfolded product receptacle 3,4 into axial aiignmcnt with the longitudinal axis of shanl: i6 of the fceier and body portion i of the containing carton. Hence, the folded end of insert 13 is met and engaged with an equally distributed fore at multiple points along its periphery. rl'his equal pressure, multi-point contact reinforces and rigidics the folded end against deformation at any given point during the sensing operation and thereby renders the detection more positive and foolproof than it would otherwise be as, for instance, if the fceler did not surroundingly embrace and meet the peripheral edge with equal force at all points of Contact.

Referring to Fig. 2, it is observed that in the absence ot a literature insert i3 the funnel-shaped end of feeler 1S will enter further into the contines of the body portion of carton 1d than when said funnel-shaped portion contacts a literature insert 13, this being due to the fact that the lesser surface area presented by the eceptacle end permits further ingress of the conically shaded interior surface of feeler is than does the substantially greater surface area of literature insert i3.

A striker 32 is adjustably secured as by means of a thumb screw 33 on shank lo. Striker 32 is arranged to engage a projecting end 3fton long strap of a pair of normally closed electrical contacts when feeler l enters further into the carton into engage nent with the end of the product receptacle as it does when the literature insert is absent. This amount of movement is sutiicient to open said contacts. Contacts 35 are wired in series with a solenoid 36 which is mounted in superposcd spaced relation above the path of travel of cartons iti as by means of an inverted U-shaped bracket 37 secured by an arm 39e t the machine frame. A plunger 39 of solenoid 36 extends upwardly through the bottom of U-shaped bracket 3'? and carries on its upper end an adjustable ring stop t? by means oi which the downward vertical stroke of the plunger may be iimited. ilungcr 39, intermediate its ends, is provided with a transverse rod 4i the opposed ends of which extend through vertically disposed slots such as 42 provided in the opposed legs of bracket 3'?. The opposed ends of rod #31 are connected by springs, such as 43, to fixed pins tf-i extending outwardly from and fixed adjacent to the lower ends ot" the opposed legs of bracket 37. Springs tension plunger 39 downwardly. rihe lower end ot` plunger 39 has mounted thereon an inlting roller #i5 the u per sur` face of which lies in contact with an ink feeding wich L26 depending from an ink supply reservoir 57, the cornponents d5, i6 and 47 all being assembled as a unit and secured to the lower end of the plunger.

When contacts 35 are closed, solenoid 35 is energized and maintains plunger 39 and roller 45 in their uppermost position against the tension of springs 43, out of printing contact with the cartons. However, upon the opening of contacts 35 incident to feeler i5 entering further inwardly within the contines of the carton as it does in instances where the literature is absent therein, solenoid 36 is cle-energized whereupon plunger 39 and its associated roller 45 are pulled downwardly by springs 43 into printing contact with that carton in which the literature is missing. Roller 45 causes an imprint such as 49 to be made upon such non-literature containing cart0n as the latter passes thereunder. Upon feeler l5 being withdrawn from such carton, as striker 32 moves away from projecting end 34, contacts 35 again close to energize the solenoid and elevate the printing roller 45. lf the next succeeding carton contains literature, solenoid 36 remains energized and roller 45 remains elevated and out of printing contact with the carton. As soon as feeler 15 again senses a non-literature containing carton, contacts 35 open and the signal imprint is made upon such carton.

it will be understood, of course, that it desired the contacts 35 could be arranged to control stopping the cartcning machine to render an audible or visual signal or any combination of these. it has been found in practice, however, that by permitting the machine to continue its operations greater production is accomplished even though those cartons which bear the signal imprint indicating absence of literature necessarily must be later sorted out from cartons bearing no imprint. It will be further urtdcr` stood that, if desired, the switch contacts 35 could be arranged to control an automatic ejector' mechanism operable to `reject any carton in which the literature insert is absent.

The device has been found to be reliable and satisfactory in operation. it has completely eliminated the time-consuming manual inspection methods heretofore employed.

i claim:

l. In a cartoning machine of the class described, including a conveyor for continuously advancing along a predetermined path a series of cartons -in each of which has been deposited a lproduct receptacle normally having a literature insert folded thereover; a device for sensing thc absence of said insert in any one of said cartons, said device comprising a tunnel-shaped teeler; means associated with said feeler for imparting reciprocatory movement thereto for a predetermined distance along said path in timed relation with the advance of said cartons along said path, said means being simultaneously operable to reciprocate said feeler to and fro. into and out of the open ends of said carton into sensing contact with said insert or that end of the receptacle which should be enfolded thereby; the funnei shape of said feeler in combination with variation in surface area between an insert-enfolded receptacle and an unenfolded receptacle causing said feelcr to have corresponding variations in the magnitude of its sensing stroke reciprocation; and signal means associated with and operable by said feeler to signal the absence of an insert in any one of said cartons.

2. In a cartoning machine of the class described, including a conveyor for continuously advancing along :t predetermined path a series of open-ended cartons each containing a product receptacle therein, each receptacle normally having a literature insert folded over one end thereof concurrently upon its being thrust into its corresponding carton whereby said insert at the plane of its fold presents toward oneend vof said carton a surface area that is relatively greater than the surface area of the end of said receptacle enfolded thereby; a device for detecting the absence of an insert in any carton of the series comprisinga funnel-shaped feeler spacedly mounted for movement adjacent said path in longitudinal, axial alignment with said cartons and with the open end of said funnel in confronting relation with said insert-presenting ends of said cartons; means for imparting reciprocatory movement to said feeler both axially thereof and in the direction of travel .of said cartons along said path and in timed relation therewith; said feeler being projected by said axial movement within said insert-presenting end of each carton as it advances along said path and into contact either with said insert .if such be present, or further inwardly into sensing contact with said one end of said receptacle in instances where an insert is absent; and signal means associated with said feeler responsive to said further inward movement and operative thereby to signal the absence of said literature.

3. In a cartoning machine of the class described, including a conveyor for continuously advancing along a predetermined path a series of cartons in each of which has been deposited a product receptacle normally having a literature insert folded thereover; a device for sensing the absence of said insert in any one of said cartons, said device comprising a funneleshaped feeler; means associated with said feeler for imparting compound transverse and longitudinal reciprocatory movement thereto for a predetermined distance along said path in timed relation with the advance of said cartons along said path whereby said feeler is moved into and out of each carton during its advance by said conveyor into sensing contact with said insert or that end of the receptacle which should be enfolded thereby; the funnel shape of said feeler in com bination with variation in surface area between an insert enfolded receptacle and an unenfolded receptacle causing said feeler to have corresponding variations in the magnitude of its transverse reciprocation; and signal means associated with and operable by said feeler to imprint indicia signifying the absence of an insert in any one of said cartons.

4. In a cartoning machine of the class described, including a conveyor for continuously advancing along a predetermined path a series of open-ended cartons each containing a product receptacle therein, each receptacle normally having a literature insert folded over one end thereof concurrently upon its being thrust into its corresponding carton whereby said insert at the plane of its fold presents toward one end of said carton a surface area that is relatively greater than the surface area of the end of said receptacle enfolded thereby; a device for detecting the absence of an insert in any carton of the series comprising a funnel-shaped feeler spacedly and yieldingly mounted for movement adjacent said path in longitudinal, axial alignment with said cartons and with the open end of said funnel in confronting relation with said insertpresenting ends of said cartons; means for imparting synchronous, compound reciprocatory movement to said feeler both laterally and longitudinally with respect to said cartons as the latter advance along said path; said feeler being projected by said axial movement within said insertpresenting end of of each carton as it advances along said path and into contact with said insert if such be present, or further inwardly into sensing contact with said one end of said receptacle in instances Where an insert is absent; and signal means associated with said feeler responsive to said further inward movement and operative thereby to signal the absence of said literature.

5. In a cartoning machine of the class described, including a conveyor for continuously advancing along a redetermined path a series of open-ended cartons each containing a product receptacle therein, each receptacle normally having a literature insert folded over one end thereof concurrently upon its being thrust into its correspending carton whereby said insert at the plane of its fold presents toward one end of said carton a surface area. that is relatively greater than the surface area of the end of said receptacle enfolded thereby; a device for detecting the absence of an insert in any carton of the series cornprising a continuously driven member mounted for epicycloidal movement in spaced relation adjacent said path; a funnel-shaped feeler yieldingly mounted on said member in longitudinal, axial alignment with said cartons and with the open end of said funnel in confronting relation with said insert-presenting ends of said cartons; said feeler being projected by said driven member within said insert-presenting end of each carton as it advances along said path and into contact either with said insert if such be present, or further inwardly into sensing contact with said one end of said receptacle in instances where an insert is absent; and signal means associated with said feeler responsive to said further inward movement and operative thereby to signal the absence of said literature.

Arelt et al Aug. 28, 1928 Kidd Sept. 4, 1934 

1. IN A CARTONING MACHINE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, INCLUDING A CONVEYOR FOR CONTINUOUSLY ADVANCING ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH A SERIES OF CARTONS IN EACH OF WHICH HAS BEEN DEPOSITED A PRODUCT RECEPTACLE NORMALLY HAVING A LITERATURE INSERT FOLDED THEREOVER; A DEVICE FOR SENSING THE ABSENCE OF SAID INSERT IN ANY ONE OF SAID CARTONS, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A FUNNEL-SHAPED FEELER; MEANS ASSICIATED WITH SAID FEELER FOR IMPARTING RECIPROCATORY MOVEMENT THERETO FOR A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE ALONG SAID PATH IN TIMED RELATION WITH THE ADVANCE OF SAID CARTONS ALONG SAID PATH, SAID MEANS BEING SIMULTANEOUSLY OPERABLE TO RECIPROCATED SAID FEELER TO AND FRO, INTO AND OUT OF THE OPEN ENDS OF SAID CARTON INTO SENSING CONTACT WITH SAID INSERT OR THAT END OF THE RECEPTACLE WHICH SHOULD BE ENFOLDED THEREBY; THE FUNNEL SHAPE OF SAID FEELER IN COMBINATION WITH VARIATION IN SURFACE AREA BETWEEN AN INSERT-ENFOLDED RECEPTACLE AND UNENFOLDED RECEPTACLE CAUSING SAID FEELER TO HAVE CORRESPONDING VARIATIONS IN THE MAGNITUDE OF ITS SENSING STROKE RECIPROCATION; AND SIGNAL MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH AND IPERABLE BY SAID FEELER TO SIGNAL THE ABSENCE OF AN INSERT IN ANY ONE OF SAID CARTON. 